Cycle for Survival: Supporting Rare Cancers like Mesothelioma

Cycle for Survival is a fundraising event that brings awareness to rare cancers. One of those rare cancers is mesothelioma.

According to the National Institutes of Health, “The total number of Americans living with a rare disease is estimated at between 25-30 million.”

There are approximately 2,000 to 3,000 mesothelioma cases in the United States each year. It typically affects someone that is between the ages of 50 and 70. Sometimes this rare disease can occur in someone that is younger.

In many circumstances, rare diseases are incurable. Researchers are constantly trying to create new treatments that may improve a patient’s prognosis.

Cycling for a Cause

“We can’t all be doctors or cancer researchers, but riding with Cycle for Survival can raise the money that makes their work possible.” – Cycle for Survival

So how does it work?

Friends, family, and coworkers come together and form cycling teams. Typically a team will consist of about 4 to 8 riders.

“10,181 participants rode on corporate teams in 2017,” claims the Cycle for Survival website.

Teams are encouraged to register early. Through fundraising, each team raises money to help support the rare cancer community.

On the day of the event, cyclists will gather in facilities that have partnered with Cycle for Survival. Teams will experience four back-to-back 50-minute riding sessions.

Since 2007, Cycle for Survival has contributed to over 100 different clinical trials and research studies for rare cancer. The organization has raised over $140 million dollars since its creation.

“We’re in the fight to beat rare cancers together!” says Cycle for Survival.

Getting to Know Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

All proceeds from Cycling for Survival go directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. This facility sees a high volume of cancer patients, and it makes great strides towards pioneering new ways to treat rare cancers.

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center is home to a nationally recognized Mesothelioma Program. This program has experience in treating patients that are diagnosed with pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma.

This center is renowned for treating its patients with chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation. This facility is also recognized for using immunotherapy to treat mesothelioma patients.

Dr. Lee Krug is the director of the Mesothelioma Program at Sloan Kettering. Working close to Krug’s side is mesothelioma specialist Dr. Valerie Rusch. Dr. Rusch has more than 25 years of experience as a thoracic surgeon. Together Dr. Krug and Dr. Rusch help mesothelioma patients exceed their prognosis.

“Each year Memorial Sloan Kettering treats more than 400 subtypes of cancer,” states Cycle for Survival.

Ways You Can Help

In December, the organization hoped to raise enough funds to purchase a DNA sequencer and to fund genomic profiling. As 2017 came to an end, the organization raised $34 million dollars.

Genomic Profiling and DNA sequencing are used in understanding a person’s disease. In the case of a mesothelioma patient, genomic profiling may be used to get a better understanding of how to diagnose and treat their mesothelioma.

If you don’t have a facility near you that is supporting Cycle for Survival, you can still help. By donating to this organization, you can join the battle for ending rare cancers. Make sure that you check their official website for more information.

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